Monday, October 26, 2015

Today I welcome the wonderful Catherine Constantine! Her latest book is Snow on Cinders and she’s here to talk about preparing for global disaster.

I can’t thank Alex enough for hosting me today. If it wasn’t for him and the IWSG, I don’t know if I’d still be blogging. He’s quite an inspiration to us all.

My new release Snow on Cinders is the sequel to Tallas, but can be read as a stand alone. A family fleeing a tyrannical Management to save their son from a dangerous assignment sets the stage in these post-apocalyptic novels. After years of chemical warfare a metamorphous has taken shape on the planet, not only with vegetation, but animals and humans as well. Talk about diversity in books, you’ll become acquainted with mutants that only want to live in peace. A loving family and a band of misfits struggle to survive in the wilderness.

Think about a civilization without computers, cell phones, or landlines to communicate. I grew up without a cell phone or a computer. How’d we survive?

Lack of clean drinking water and medical supplies are dwindling in Snow on Cinders. Do you prepare for an emergency? Here in Buffalo, I always prepare to have on hand at least, if not more, three days of supplies due to the harsh winters.

I think about the strangest things. Like ~ toilet paper. Stock up on TP!

Don’t be fooled by the ads – this is not a straight up horror film. It’s a gothic romance with ghosts, wrapped in a psychological mystery.
As an ode to the early 1970’s Hammer films, director del Toro has crafted a movie that unspools at a leisurely pace. It works, especially since the acting is so good and the production so amazing.
Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland) is Edith, the new bride troubled by what is happening in her new home. Tom Hiddleston is her husband, and he plays, well, he plays Tom Hiddleston. The dominating character is his sister, played perfectly by Jessica Chastain (The Martian, Interstellar.)
However, it is the house that steals almost every scene. It’s a character in its own right, decaying, dark, and alive.
There is some gore – the ghosts are ‘bloody’ and the head smashing scene is rather intense.
This movie is closer to The Devil’s Backbone and Pan’s Labyrinth (less the devastating depression) than Hellboy or Pacific Rim.
While not his best work, it’s a great tribute to gothic romance movies. Recommended!

Ninja News

John Wiswell had a great week with a short story publication, another story being read on a podcast, and he’s contributing to SF Signal. Way to go, John!

Last week to enter theIWSG Anthology Contest! You have until Saturday, November 1. The theme is Alternate History/Parallel Universe and any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group (blogging or Facebook) is encouraged to enter. Winners will be published in a royalty-paying anthology next year.

Make Me Wonder and the Minions team have paired up for a nationwide robotics competition for kids.
The grand prize is a STEM field trip to California, where they'll be able to meet the artists who work on the Minions, present to engineers at Google, and learn about how games are made at EA. Deadline to enter is November 1.

I’m also participating in X-Mas Dolly’s Monday’s Music Moves Me with this entry.

We’re running with a Halloween theme one final time.

First up – Dokken’s Dream Warriors from A Nightmare on Elm Street III:

Next, we have Lou Gramm’s Lost in the Shadows from The Lost Boys:

Halloween is creeping closer! Which song captures scares and thrills? You know the routine! Vote for your favorite.

The Listing Hop!

The brainchild of Bish Denham to celebrate eight years of blogging. I am helping co-host this blogfest – and it’s beyond simple!

The rules are:
Sign up, grab the banner and make a list.
Keep your list to between 5 and 25 items. You can list whatever you feel like (except for adult type content.)
Post on October 26 and visit fellow participants.

In celebration of the upcoming Star Wars film, I chose to do a list based on The Force Awakens.

Top Ten Things You Won’t Hear at The Force Awakens:

I wish Lucas had more involvement with this. The villain was good, but not as terrifying as the trade federation from episode 1. I was hoping for a two hour in depth explanation of midi-chlorians. This film could use a healthy dose of Jar-Jar. These character names are weird. Why couldn't they just use normal names like Dooku, Salacious Crumb, and Porkins? Isn't this the same plot as the "Star Wars Holiday Special?” How many Ewoks would I need to reupholster my couch? (Actually, somebody might say that). I hope no one minds my Eau de freshly opened Tauntaun musk after shave. I prefer my spaceship explosions to look like a Skittles factory just blew up. So, which character is the love child of Han Solo and Chewbacca?

Visit other participants below:

What would you think of first in a global disaster? Have you seen Crimson Peak? Sent in your IWSG Anthology entry? Are your kids entered in the robotics competition? See some new books? Which song would you pick? And what is your list????

177 comments:

I wanted to give a really good answer on what I'd stock up for in-case but... actually I wouldn't. The stuff that can be bought and stocked will be too bulky to move, so in case of emergency, it'd just all get left behind because we couldn't carry it.

Congratulations to Catherine and the other authors. I haven't seen Crimson Peak. We are not currently in robotics, but a few years ago my daughter was on a robotics team that took fourth in world competition. Dare I admit, I don't understand your list :)

Catherine, in the Caribbean we are always somewhat prepared for hurricanes and the regular power outages that happen. Water is not a problem because we have a 40 thousand gal. cistern which is just about always full. What we stock up on are canned goods and TP. We cook with gas, so there's no problem there either. Your novel sounds very interesting.

Wow, lots of new books out! Congratulations to one and all.

Dokken gets my vote. Oh the HAIR! Prettier than the girl's!

Thanks so much, Alex, for co-hosting my bloghop. (Hey everyone he did it all on his own, he volunteered, I didn't even ask!) Your Star War's list is a hoot! AND you are truly THE NINJA!

Hi, Banned Buddy! I can't believe how similar our tastes turned out to be. Are you sure we aren't the same person... like Bob Cummings and Rob Zombie? :) I have seen both of these movies and loved them. Dokken was considered a heavy metal band back in the day, but by today's standards (see Cerebral Bore) Don Dokken is strictly easy listening pop. Nevertheless, I love Patricia Arquette, love Freddy Krueger and the Nightmare on Elm Street movies, and I hereby cast my vote for "Dream Warriors, the best theme song from the best flick of the series.

I'll be posting my vote results next Monday, good buddy. Have a great week!

Oh, that reminds me - I have to pick up our generator soon. Congrats, Catherine! My kids are looking forward to the new Star Wars, but after the last two my hubs and I are feeling a little more careful about what to expect. The robotics competition sounds neat!

ROFL, Love it!!!! Very Clever and too true for most. But have to say, this SW fan misses Lucas's involvement. My favorite SW villain is from the expanded universe Thrawn. I loved Jar Jar Binks and was disappointed they played him down in episodes 2 & 3, but I'm contrary that way,when it comes to SW, lol. I have a SW post planned for my blog this next week--I am posting the newest SW trailer too.

Thanks so much for the shout-out! And congrats to all the authors with new releases. I'd hoard TP, too, Cathrina! :) I'll wait for Crimson Peak to come onto DVD so I can be alone in my house with Tom! Oh man, that's a difficult decision for the songs. Two movies I loved as a teen and two songs too. I did listen to the Lost Boys soundtrack thousands of times, so I'll go with the second one.

Ooh, a lot of great books released recently. You list cracked me up, especially "This film could use a healthy dose of Jar-Jar." OMG! So funny. And if anyone upholsters their couch with Ewoks, I really hope Intergalactic PETA comes after them!

What a fun list!! Thanks for co-hosting this blog hop. I had so much fun writing up my list. Thinking about what I was going to list made me remember a lot of the reasons I got into writing in the first place. Ahh, the inspiration!

Oh, and thanks for the review of Crimson Peak. I wanted to see it but the trailer really freaked me out! I love Del Toro, especially Pan's Labyrinth, and the cast of Peak looks amazing, but I was worried it would et too "horror" for me. Now I'm tempted to go see it!

congrats to Catherine on her new book - toilet paper, pen and paper, alcohol, bandaids, peanut butter, and some chocolate bars. I could make it a day!. Glad we agreed on Crimson Peak - I think it will surprise folks who don't like scary movies. Dokken, for sure. And I chuckled at your list. Today's a busy Monday.

Clean drinking water would be a first priority, then fire for cooking and warmth and then shelter that would be safe from hostiles. Oh yeah, we talk about that stuff at our house. Crimson Peak looks good and well, Tom is in it.

Glad to hear a recommendation for Crimson Peak--I love a good Haunted House story. And your list made me giggle. My level of Star Wars fan-ness is I will watch it, but not in the theater, but it sounds like though, they made some good decisions.

Fun post, Alex and Catherine! I've lived without cell phones, computers, or landlines, not to mention electricity and running water and nothing to travel by but my feet!!! And very few medical supplies. Fortunately, only for s short time in my childhood.

Love the title "Snow on Cinders." Congratulations on your book, Catherine. Global disaster: Chocolate immediately came to mind, followed instantaneously by coffee! I too have an emergency supply kit that includes an old fashioned can opener in case there is not electricity.

"Crimson Peak" is probably too intense for me. Ever since "Night of the Living Dead", I have not been able to watch horror movies. A friend of mine was killed in a car accident while I was at the movie. Just before I went to the movie, we were ironing clothes for our dates together. She never returned. I had horrendous nightmares that night and for weeks afterwards, so no go for me with "CP."

"Boppity Blue and the Kangaroo that Stole His Shoe" - I'm looking forward to the sequel "Rebecca Prig and the Pig Who Stole Her Wig"(Not making fun of the book. Just love the title). :)

Battle of the Banned - I thought I'd be picking the one from Lost Boys, I do have that album. But I preferred the Dream Warriors so much more. Great song. I still find it hard to believe Freddie Krueger is Willie from V.

Lists - I had fun with my list, but I had more fun reading your list. The one that serioulsy made me laugh out loud? "The villain was good, but not as terrifying as the Trade Federation Episode 1.

And you have me wanting to see Crimson Peak (but I won't mention the romance bit to my hubs). We're actually going to see the new Bond tomorrow, which I doubt you're into. It's a big deal in England. :)

I listed TV shows. I guess I'd have to kiss those goodbye in a global disaster. Seriously though? I be worried about my youngest. She is on a lot of special medicines for her arthritis. The apocalypse better hold off until she grows out of it. (Fingers crossed).

Your list is the best! I shudder any time someone mentions the star Wars Holiday Special. Hmm. I wonder if my husband would like some Eau de freshly opened Tauntaun for Christmas. Eh, maybe not. I still have to live with him.

Funny list! Congrats to Cathrina and everyone with new releases! I definitely agree about the T.P. and the other obvious necessities. I'd also try to sneak in something to write on. Got to have something to keep from losing it in such dire circumstances. My vote would be for Dokken. I like Lou Gramm's music, but the Lost Boys song isn't very creepy. Looking forward to Star Wars!

Thank you so much for playing along with us on this Halloween edition of Monday's Music Moves Me. Love your selection although most are new to me. I love Star Wars and have every DVD (except the new one of course), but I'm not that big of a die-hard fan where I know all the names. I should watch the movies over again. That's always fun. I think my favorite one is Part II. I'm really enjoying your second tune here. I vote for that one! HAPPY HALLOWEEN MY FRIEND! HUGS and please be careful. Hubby has a gig on Halloween night & I'm dressing up as a witch... hehehe! They're playing on a flatbed outside so please pray for warmer weather please... sure could use the extra money! Woo Hoo... His band's name is "We Ain't Right"!

Thanks for the review of Crimson Peak! My husband and I were considering going to see it during our "romantic getaway in the mountains" later this week. Since we'd both prefer a gothic mystery with some depth to a slasher film, this sounds like a Halloween-y win!

OMG-I love your Star wars list and believe that the Christmas special is right up there with Jar Jar. I didn't know where to join up but I think I will link my top 10 list i did a couple of weeks back if that is ok. I have to listen to the Battle of the Banned when i am home. I want to see this film Crimson Peak-It sounds like a film I won't get scared by...maybe. Will choose my band later:)

I love your list! If there were a Star Wars movie that merited those comments, I'm sure it'd be mercilessly and hilariously taken on by RiffTrax or MST3K.

I always remembered how my 8th grade tech ed teacher told us the water in the toilet tank is safe to drink, in case of drought or other disaster. He left out the fact that you probably should boil it first, though one could always use a campfire or wood-burning stove in the absence of modern stoves.

Huge congratulations to all those with books out. Some I have, some I will weaken and acquire.My lists are usually to-do lists. I have learned to put something on it which I KNOW I will achieve (of the shower, feed cats order of difficulty) so I can feel I am achieving something. Is it shameful to cheat myself? Perhaps, but it works.

Hey Alex. Thanks for the review of Crimson Peak (love that title!). I wasn't sure I wanted to see it but now I do thanks to your review.For your Battle of the Banned, give my vote to Dokken. Dream Warriors is a good song! Lou Gramm's song just didn't grab me like Dream Warriors did...

Crimson Peak looks amazing! I hope I have time to go see it. And the new Star Wars movie looks so good. I was mostly underwhelmed by the prequels, but this new trilogy really seems awesome. I can't wait for it.

Congrats, Cathrina! TP is a must to stock up on. Of course, food and water are key staples. I think I'll have to find someone to keep so that person can be my official can opener. I'm terrible trying to open cans. I'd starve to death. Heh.

Totally need that toilette paper!! This book sounds interesting. I want to see Crimson Peak. Had to choose between that and The Last Witch Hunter. I picked Witch Hunter; hope I don't regret the decision.

Great week! I found Catherine fascinating. I think I would hoard medications and ... soup. You have to have soup around when the world is changing, because soup never changes much. Oh, and a can opener. John Wiswell is a great guy. I am happy to hear his good news! I vote for the song from The Lost Boys. jean

I'd definitely love to see Crimson Peak, based on the strength of The Devil's Backbone and Pan's Labyrinth alone. Unfortunately, all the cinemas in my city seem to have this ongoing boycott against horror films. :(

I'd almost totally forgotten about the The List Hop blogfest being today, which is why I am just putting up my post. Coincidentally, mine also happens to tie in with Star Wars: The Force Awakens. :D

Loved you list on Star Wars. My favorites are the first and the last. I think Lukas is a great story teller. He has brilliant ideas, but he is no good at dialog in movies. My daughter and I went to a theater awile ago to see the one with Jar-Jar Binks. I have to say, he makes me laugh and I remember my grandchildren loved him. Lukas says he makes these movies for children, and he is very good at that.

Snow Cinders looks like a great book. We did buy a little butane stove so we can cook our food on the balcony if we ever lose power. It would be good to stock up on water but we haven't done that. Whenever a big storm is coming I fill the bathtub. We have lots of candles. That's about it. Not very good planning.

Nashville doesn't get a huge amount of snow, but they don't salt the streets...so if it snows here, you aren't going anywhere for a few days or more. I plan to fill our extra freezer with a few extra days' worth of dinners just in case

Nice to see so many new books out by bloggers I recognize. . .like Denise Covey. Wish I could have joined this hop, but too much to do right now at home. Interesting list you created. Roland's was interesting too. Just dropping by when I can. (but really - love child of Hans Solo and Chewbacca - never. . .)

Oh, I'd do well in a catastrophe--if I didn't have to leave my house. I have enough water, food, candles and lamps with fuel to last several years and yes, TP is always in abundance. Not a hoarder, perse, just believe in being prepared. Now, if I had to leave and live in the woods or something, I have supplies, tools, and the knowledge to use them. I can live off the land. Not comfortable as home but I can and have done it. I love the cover Catherine!

A lot of good books coming out these days, Alex. Congrats to the authors. Crimson Peak sounds interesting. And the house is always a character in a gothic, :-)

I like the premise of Snow in Cinders. I actually spent time thinking about stock up items. Living on the coast (even though Jax hasn't experienced a direct hit since Dora) keeps it in the forefront of the brain. I tend to always have lots of TP, canned food, and I fill bottles with water so that we could last for quite a while. Plus I have bought bottled water stocked up.

I liked both of your songs this go-round. I think the edge goes to Lou Gramm. Arlee voted against it because it sounded 80s. I like 80s!

Snow on Cinders sounds excllent! Much success to Cathrina with it, and gratitude to you for featuring her. I've been hearing different feedback on Crimson Peak, and I was about to dismiss it, but your drawing a line between Pan's Labyrinth (one of my all-time favorite films) and Hellboy has convinced me—I shall give it a go :) And your list of Force Awakens won't-be-heard was awesome. "This film could use a healthy dose of Jar-Jar" made me spit out my coffee :D Great list, Alex. Thanks for co-hosting the Listing Hop with Bish; I'll be looking forward to the next edition.Guilie @ Quiet Laughter

We've had some tests going on here in Chapel Hill. Sunday, we had an MRI that lasted over three hours. Christopher did. He was so worn out. They didn't give him any sedative because meds like that can cause people who have his disorder to have a stroke. He did way better than I could have.

Congrats to all the releases. I counted 6. Is that the most ever, Alex? I have Denise's.

I can't wait to read Snow On Cinders. It sounds like a great book to curl up with beside the fire. Catherine, I'm from the Keys, and we always had a kitchen cabinet that was dubbed the 'hurricane cabinet'. It was loaded with batteries, canned goods, lanterns, etc. Loved reading your guest post.

My husband has been preparing for the zombie apocalypse, but this is a bit different. I guess if communication is an issue, I'd stock up on battery and drones, so I could use them to set up a communication network... Too geeky?

Crimson Peak seems like a rental for me, only because it looks scarier than I'm comfortable with being out in public.

Thanks for co-hosting the list hop. It's fun. I listed about chick films.

That robotics thing looks really cool. My daughter is still a year too young, but if they have something like this next year, we might do it!You don't think someone will ask, "So, which character is the love child of Han Solo and Chewbacca?" That sounds like my husband. :)

Alex, thanks for stopping by to check out my list. What would I stock pile in the event of a global disaster? If it involves zombies, then I'd wanna good stash of weapons preferably a crossbow (note to self: learn how to shoot crossbow), automatic handguns, a special suit worn by divers in shark infested waters (if it protects swimmers from a shark bite, then surely it's good for zombie attacks, too), and lots of bottled water & freeze-dried provisions. Of course any and all of these provisions are excellent to have for any type of disaster, so I think I'd be set pretty well for said catastrophe. I haven't seen Crimson Peak, but I will check out the movie trailer. Dokken's Dream Warriors gets my vote for sounding the creepiest. Have a spooktacular week, my friend!

I love the cover of Snow on Cinders. Sounds like a good read, too. I think Type O Negative has the best music choices for Halloween selections. Ha ha, I love your StarWars list! In a global disaster I'd think, well, this isn't the first one, and it won't be the last one. No, I haven't seen Crimson Peak. No, I don't have an ISWG entry. Or kids. The new book I see is "Trust Me, I'm Trouble," which I just got a week ago. My list, if I had one, would be a list of what I'm working on for NaNoWriMo. I'm not doing a straight up 50,000 word novel. I'm doing a project of several things that should add up to the word count.

And great review for Crimson Peak! I've been wanting to check that movie out for a while, but I don't have the time or money to see it in theaters right now, so I might have to wait till it's out on DVD.

I've been seeing Snow on Cinders around and have been very curious about it. I love the cover. I also agree that TP would be a great thing to have on the ready- along with some other necessities. :) ~Jess

Crimson Peak: if it has plenty of ghoulish characters, a Degree of suspense and is gothic, I can go for it and it's close enough to horror for me. I really liked the Lost Boys movie including the soundtrack, so I'd have to go with that. Let me get back to you on the survival supplies.

Hey, Alex! A blogging friend had posted this parody on her blog: Queen's Bohemian Raposody as Bethlehemian Rhapsody. I though it was quite clever. I thought you might get a kick out of it. So here's a link, but only if you have time ~ no pressure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paYnKq4XCxI

I don't have a Star Wars list, but I did read an intriguing analysis of the prequels this morning that suggests Jar-Jar Binks is actually the main villain and far more powerful and in control than anyone thought. Take a look: https://www.reddit.com/r/StarWars/comments/3qvj6w/theory_jar_jar_binks_was_a_trained_force_user/

A wonderful post, Captain! You dazzle us with Christmas ideas, movies and music~ Yes, your Ninja techniques are still spot on! Christmas always scares me more than Halloween. It is the marathon event of the season, but I love it~

You have done a great job show casing what is in the know-thank you!It is nice to be back~

About Me

I'm a sci-fi writer on a journey of discovery - books, movies, music, etc.
Founder of the Insecure Writer's Support Group, I'm the author of Amazon Best Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, CassaStorm, & Dragon of the Stars